Will Rogers’ saying that “you never get a second chance to make a first impression” is well-worn for good reason! How can you use your personal branding journey to make sure that you make a good first impression?
- Think 21st The days of first impressions being only in-person or on paper are over. In many cases, potential employers see your online-facing presence before they meet you face-to-face (or face-to-screen). If you’ve used your well-defined personal brand to ensure your social media and professional online presences are coordinated, clear, and focused—you’re in luck! By doing personal branding legwork consistently over time, you’ve created an online image that is authentic and attractive. You’re ready for recruiters and employers. If you haven’t taken the time to define your personal brand and put an implementation plan into practice, now’s a great time to start. Book a consultation with us today. You can also use online resources, like this helpful blog on how to optimize your LinkedIn profile, to assist you in making sure you are communicating clearly about your skills, passions, and joys. Be you, be creative, be ambitious!
- Look good on paper. Is your resumé saying who you are? Is it out-of-date or targeted toward work you no longer want to pursue? Most people tend to update their resumés in a rush, acting quickly before a stressful application deadline. All You Branding encourages our clients to update their resumés regularly as part of their personal branding journey. Make sure your resumé is not only current, but that it communicates your personal brand. Your profile section can make a strong statement about how you see yourself and what talents and experience you bring to an employer. Use it creatively! Make sure your text is readable and error-free. Do some research online and be sure to include relevant keywords for the industries and positions to which you’re interested. You can also have a professional look over your resume and make helpful suggestions. A little investment on a regular basis can pay off big in the long run!
- Be ready to wow. You should always be prepared to confidently convey who you are when meeting someone face-to-face in an interview or networking situation. Whether online or in-person, your comportment, attitude, and overall vibe will be immediately taken in and judged by others. We often think of judgement as a bad thing—of course being rigid and harsh is not something to which to aspire—but the fact remains that human beings make split-second decisions all the time about who is trustworthy, strong, or smart, based on impressions from brief interactions. If you’re nervous, try to focus. Deep breaths, visualizations, and ahead-of-time practice with a friend or family member can help. Be sure you’re wearing comfortable clothes that look great on you! (Find more pre-interview tips here.) Additionally, having a well-practiced elevator pitch is a foolproof way to not fumble an unexpected opportunity. When you’ve defined your personal brand and can boil down who you are, what you do, and where you want to go into a few sentences, you’ll be able to project confidence and clarity—an excellent first impression.
Personal branding helps you make a blockbuster first impression and leads you to where you want to be in your career. By taking the time to invest in YOU, you will be better able to communicate your talents and expertise to decision-makers and industry leaders. You’ll project the confidence of someone who knows exactly where they’re going and how they’re going to get there. Don’t underestimate the importance of putting in the work ahead of time to be prepared in the moment.
